The transfer market at Brașov-Ghimbav is straightforward — four options cover almost every arrival shape, and the right pick mostly depends on group size, destination, and time of day. Use the bands below to read the trade-offs at a glance.
Compare the four options
| Mode | Price to Brașov centre | Time | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi from the rank | 50–100 RON | 20–30 min | You’re solo or a pair, you want no app, and you’re going into the city |
| Rideshare (Uber, Bolt) | 50–100 RON, surge on peaks | 20–30 min | You already have the app and want an upfront price |
| Private pre-booked transfer | Fixed quote, typically 30–50% above rideshare | 20–30 min, door to door | Groups of three or more, late arrivals, child seats, or an onward leg to Poiana / Bran / Sibiu / Bucharest |
| Public bus (route 51) | A few RON | 30–45 min plus the Autogara connection | You’re travelling light, in daylight, on a budget |
Poiana Brașov changes the maths: a taxi or rideshare runs 100–200 RON for that leg, and a direct pre-booked transfer is usually the better value once ski gear is involved.
The four options in detail
Taxi from the rank. Licensed airport taxis queue at the marked rank outside arrivals. Best for solo travellers and pairs heading to central Brașov; payment is by meter, and most drivers accept card today (always confirm before you set off). Typical Brașov city fare sits in a 50–100 RON band depending on destination and time of day; a Poiana Brașov fare lands in a 100–200 RON band. Late-night fares carry a posted surcharge — the licence sticker on the rear window lists the operator’s tariff schedule.
Rideshare (Uber, Bolt). Both apps work at GHV; the pin drops at the terminal forecourt and pickup is a few minutes outside arrivals. Best for travellers who already have the app, want an upfront price, and don’t want to negotiate at the rank. Surge pricing applies during peak departure / arrival blocks — open the app the moment you’ve cleared baggage to lock in the lower band before everyone else does the same.
Private pre-booked transfer. A door-to-door service booked in advance, usually with a fixed price and a sign-bearing driver inside arrivals. Best for groups of three or more, families with luggage, late-night arrivals, and any onward leg to Poiana Brașov / Bran / Sibiu / Bucharest where you don’t want to negotiate with a metered taxi. Several local operators and the larger hotels run their own transfer services; the easiest path is to email your accommodation a week before the trip and ask whether they offer one.
Public bus. RAT Brașov runs route 51 between Ghimbav and Autogara 2 in Brașov; from Autogara 2 you can connect to city buses or a short taxi to the Old Town. Best for solo budget travellers travelling light during daytime hours. Tickets are sold on the bus and at platform machines; the RAT Brașov site is the source of truth for the current timetable and fare. Don’t pick the bus if you’re carrying multiple bags or arriving after the last departure of the day — both make the math turn against you.
Route by route
To central Brașov. The 13 km run takes 20–30 minutes, at the top of that band at peak; taxi or rideshare is the default and costs 50–100 RON. Public bus is the budget option but adds a leg at the Autogara end.
To Poiana Brașov. 25–30 minutes via Brașov, 100–200 RON by taxi or rideshare. Direct airport → Poiana transfers exist (and are worth booking in winter when the post-flight luggage-plus-ski-gear math is unfriendly to a city changeover). A taxi will quote a per-route flat fee — confirm before departure.
To Bran (and Castle). 40–50 minutes if you’re going for the day; the same private transfer that runs Poiana also runs Bran. Public-transport route requires Brașov → Autogara 2 → Bran bus (~1.5 hours total) — fine for day trippers, slow if you’re going to a hotel with luggage.
To Sibiu. 2.5–3 hours by road. Worth pre-booking a private transfer rather than relying on taxis or rideshare; the long-leg market is thin and prices can move quickly.
To Bucharest. 3-3.5 hours by road via the A3 / DN1. A pre-booked private transfer is the practical choice; the alternative is renting a car at the airport. See our car rental entry for that path.
Practical tips
- Confirm card payment with the driver before you sit down. The licence rules require card acceptance, but in practice it’s worth a 5-second check to avoid an ATM detour.
- Have the destination written down, especially for properties outside the centre. Romanian addresses follow
Strada {street name} nr. {number}, {city}— paste the full thing into your rideshare app or hand the driver a screenshot. - Children under 12 need a booster seat by law. Pre-booked transfers can supply one on request; taxis cannot.
- Group size matters. A van transfer for 4-6 people often costs less per head than two sedans, even at premium pricing.
If you want the arrival narrative rather than the comparison — what the terminal looks like when you walk out, what to do about an after-midnight landing, and how the city fits together once you’re in it — our travel guide on getting from the airport to Brașov is the companion piece. If you’d rather have a car the entire trip, see car rental at Brașov-Ghimbav.
Quick FAQ
Is there an airport bus that runs late at night?
Route 51 service ends in the evening; check the RAT Brașov timetable for the latest service of the day. After hours, taxi / rideshare / pre-booked transfer is the path.
Can I pay the taxi in euros?
Most drivers accept card payment in RON. Cash euros are sometimes accepted at an informal rate that’s worse than your card; pay in RON when you can.
Do I tip the driver?
Rounding up to the next 5-10 RON is standard. Pre-booked transfers usually have tips included; check the booking confirmation.
Are there shared shuttle services from the airport?
Not as a regular fixed-schedule service today — the regional volume isn’t there yet. Pre-booked transfers and the public bus are the two scheduled options.
